Deodorizing device for refrigerator

Abstract

A deodorizing device is provided in a refrigerator. This device includes a tubular heater and a water droplet prevention member provided above the heater. The deodorizing heater is provided in an air circulation path and below a cooling coil. On the outer periphery of the heating portion of the heater, there is provided a catalyst coat layer for absorbing odor components. The water droplet prevention member is disposed immediately above the tubular heater so as to cover the heater to prevent water droplets falling from the cooling coil, defrosted by the heater, from falling thereon. When the heater is heated, the catalyst coat layer is heated directly by the heater, and the odor components having been absorbed therein are efficiently decomposed. The heat from the heater heats the cooling coil by convection for effecting defrosting thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A deodorizing device for a refrigerator, comprising: a tubular heater, said tubular heater comprising an electric resistance member therein and having an effective heating portion thereof, said effective heating portion of said tubular heater having an outer periphery that is provided with a catalyst layer coated thereon for absorbing odor components of air circulating in the refrigerator, said catalyst layer comprising active alumina, silica and a platinum group metal; and   a cover member provided immediately above said tubular heater so as to cover said tubular heater for preventing water droplets deposited from a cooling coil from falling on said tubular heater.   
     
     
       2. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said cover member has an uneven lower surface that is additionally coated with a further catalyst layer. 
     
     
       3. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said uneven lower surface of said cover member comprises a plurality of blades. 
     
     
       4. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said uneven lower surface is serrated in section. 
     
     
       5. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said tubular heater has a fin on said outer periphery of said effective heating portion, said catalyst layer being further coated on the surfaces of said fin. 
     
     
       6. The deodorizing device of claim 5, wherein said fin is in the form of a spiral. 
     
     
       7. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said cover member is in the form of a net, and has a further catalyst layer coated on a surface thereof. 
     
     
       8. The deodorizing device of claim 7, wherein said cover member comprises upper and lower net members, each said net member comprising net node portions and space portions, said net members being arranged so that each said net node portion of one of said net member vertically confronts a said space portion of the other said net member, and both said net members being provided with a further catalyst layer coated on a surface thereof. 
     
     
       9. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said cover member has a pair of side portions having serrated lower edges comprising alternating notch portions and edge portions. 
     
     
       10. The deodorizing device of claim 9, wherein each said edge portion has a width smaller than a water droplet diameter on said cover member. 
     
     
       11. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said tubular heater includes a glass tube having said electric resistance member therein, said glass tube having said catalyst layer thereon. 
     
     
       12. The deodorizing device of claim 1, wherein said cover member is made of metal and comprises a central cover plate having depending side edges.